Powered surgical handpiece with a chuck that facilitates alignment of the cutting accessory fitted to the tool

ABSTRACT

A motorized surgical handpiece with a chuck. Internal to the chuck are clamping members that releasably hold clamp the shaft of a cutting accessory to a drive shaft so the cutting accessory rotates upon the actuation of the motor. The chuck includes a collar with an opening through which the cutting accessory is inserted. The opening is non-circular in shape. When an accessory shaft with a cross sectional shape that matches the shape of the opening is inserted in the opening, the accessory shaft is appropriate aligned with the chuck clamping members.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a surgical tool system towhich cutting accessories are selectively attached. More particularly,this invention relates to a surgical tool system with a cuttingaccessory that is configured to facilitate the alignment of theaccessory with the chuck that holds the accessory to the tool handpiece.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In modern surgery, one of the most important instruments available tomedical personnel is the powered surgical tool. Typically, this toolincludes a handpiece in which a motor is housed. Secured to thehandpiece is a cutting accessory. The cutting accessory is designed forapplication to a surgical site on a patient to accomplish a specificmedical task. Some powered surgical tools are provided with drills orburs for cutting bores into hard tissue or for selectively removing thehard and soft tissue. Still other powered surgical tools are providedwith saw blades as cutting accessories. These tools are used forseparating large sections of hard and/or soft tissue. The ability to usepowered surgical tools on a patient has lessened the physical strain ofphysicians and other medical personnel when performing procedures on apatient. Moreover, most surgical procedures can be performed morequickly, and more accurately, with powered surgical tools than with themanual equivalents that preceded them.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,888,200, entitled, MULTI-PURPOSE SURGICAL TOOL SYSTEM,issued 30 Mar. 1999, incorporated herein by reference, discloses asurgical tool system designed for a number of different applications.This tool system includes a handpiece in which a motor is housed. Thehandpiece also includes a first coupling assembly for selectivelycoupling the shaft of an accessory to the motor shaft. This handpiecealso includes a second coupling assembly. The second coupling assemblyis used to selectively secure an attachment to the front end of thehandpiece. This attachment may include its own drive shaft and accessorycoupling assembly. These attachments are elongated attachments, angledattachments and/or able to actuate saw blades. Thus, an advantage ofproviding this type of tool system is that a single handpiece can beused to drive a large number of different cutting accessories andfacilitate the positioning of the accessories at the surgical site in amanner that is either required or desired for a particular surgicalprocedure.

A variation on this tool system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,562,055,entitled CUTTING ATTACHMENT FOR A SURGICAL HANDPIECE DESIGNED TO BESELECTIVELY COUPLED TO THE HANDPIECE, issued 13 May 2003 the contents ofwhich is also explicitly incorporated herein by reference. This documentdiscloses a surgical tool with a drive shaft that has an elongated bore.The drive shaft bore is sized to receive the proximal end of the shaftof the accessory. A collet is mounted to the drive shaft to rotate withthe drive shaft. The collet has feet that project into the drive shaftbore. This assembly is further designed so that the accessory shaft canbe selectively longitudinally positioned relative to the collet feet.This accessory is formed to have plural retention features disposedlongitudinally along the length of the drive shaft. These featuresallows the practitioner to selectively set the extent to which theaccessory shaft extends forward of the handpiece. Specifically, thepractitioner may want to set the distal end of the accessory shaft, theend to which the tissue working member is attached, to extend arelatively short distance forward of the handpiece the shaft. Theaccessory is so set by positioning the accessory shaft so the distallylocated retention features are engaged by the collet feet.Alternatively, the practitioner can reposition the cutting accessory sothat the tissue working member is located a relatively long distanceaway from the handpiece. To so configure the system, the shaft iflongitudinally set relative to the collet so the proximally locatedretention features are the retention features against which the colletfeet engage.

An advantage of the above construction is that a single cuttingaccessory can be positioned so that accessory head is located differentdistances from the handpiece. This eliminates the need to provide pluralcutting accessories constructed so that the only distance between twodifferent accessories is the overall length of the accessory shaft.

The above type of surgical tool system works well when the accessorieshave rigid shafts.

However, a number of different surgical tools system are provided withcutting accessories that have shafts that relatively thin and/orflexible. One type of surgical tool system provided with this type ofthin flexible cutting accessory shaft is a minimally invasive surgical(MIS) tool system. An MIS tool system, as implied by its name, isdesigned to be applied to the surgical site in the patient through arelatively small opening, called a portal, formed in the patient. Anobjective behind performing an MIS procedure is to minimize the size ofthe incision that is formed in the patient to access the site internalto the patient at which the procedure is to be performed. One reasonthis objective is desirable because it reduces the extent to which thepatient's tissue needs to be returned to its original state and healafter surgery. Another advantage of performing an MIS procedure, asopposed to a procedure in which a larger incision is formed, is that theMIS procedure lessens the extent the tissue and organs internal to thebody are exposed to the ambient environment. By extension, this reducesthe extent to which the tissue of the patient is open to infection.

Many tools designed to perform an MIS procedure are relatively small incross sectional width. This facilitates the fitting of the tool in therelatively small diameter portal formed in the patient. Some MIS toolsare designed to be inserted into a circular opening that has a diameterof 2 cm or less. These tools themselves may have cross section diameterof 0.5 cm or less.

There are powered surgical tools, including cutting accessories,designed to be seated in these small diameter bores. Often this type oftool system has a front end attachment designed to be releasablyattached to the handpiece. The cutting accessory is rotated by thehandpiece motor and rotates within the attachment. Some of theseattachments have longitudinal axes formed with a bend. The accessoryshaft is flexible so the shaft bends the accessory is bent or angled.

For the accessory shaft to bend or flex or to fit within a smalldiameter attachment, the accessory shaft is typically designed to berelatively small in diameter. The flexible section of some accessoryshafts have a diameter of 2 mm or less.

Problems arise owing to the small size and flexibility of theseaccessory shafts. These shafts can flex or rotate when inserted inhandpiece. This flexure is generally away from the longitudinal axisthrough the shaft. The rotation is generally around the longitudinalaxis. The flexure can occur during the process of inserting theaccessory in the handpiece. When the flexure occurs, it may be necessaryto rotate the shaft to place the shaft in a position in which theretention features are aligned with the complementary retention featuresintegral with the chuck. Having to take this action can contribute tothe overall time it takes to perform a surgical procedure. Adding thetime to perform this task to the procedure goes against one of theobjective of modern surgery. Specifically, it is goal of modern surgeryto perform the procedure as quickly as possible to minimize the time thepatient is held under anesthesia and the body of the patient is open andexposed to the ambient environment.

The undesirable rotation of the accessory shaft can occur during theprocedure when the handpiece is actuated. Specifically, when thehandpiece is rotated, the whole of the accessory shaft is supposed torotate at the same speed. However, owing to imposition of differentforces on the different portions of the accessory and the flexiblenature of the accessory shaft, there may some twist in the accessoryshaft around the longitudinal axis of the shaft. As a result of thistwist, and the natural tendency of the material forming the shaft totwist back to the untwisted state, the proximal end of the accessoryshaft, the end of the shaft disposed in the drive shaft integral withthe handpiece may want to rotate within the drive shaft. This rotationof the shaft can result in the shaft retention features rotating out ofengagement with the collet feet or other chuck retention features thathold the shaft in position. If this type of accessory shaft-relativeto-drive shaft movement occurs, the accessory shaft may not be firmlyheld in place to the drive shaft.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and useful surgical tool system. Thesurgical tool system of this invention includes a powered surgicalhandpiece and a cutting accessory that is rotated by the handpiece. Thesystem of this invention includes a chuck with locking members integralwith the handpiece. The system also includes retention features integralwith the cutting accessory. The chuck locking members are designed toengage the accessory retention features so that, as a result of thisengagement, the accessory rotates with the rotation of the lockingmembers. The system of this invention is further designed so that thehandpiece and cutting accessory have complementary features that, uponthe fitting of the cutting accessory to the handpiece, align theaccessory retention features with the chuck locking members. Thesefeatures also inhibit the relative rotation of the accessory relative tothe handpiece locking members.

In some constructions of the invention, the chuck includes an alignmentcollar. The alignment collar is located distally forward of the lockingmembers. The alignment collar is formed with a non-circular opening. Theaccessory shaft is shaped so that at least the proximal section of theshaft is non-circular in shape. More particularly, the accessory shaftis shaped to closely slip fit in the opening in the alignment collar.

The alignment collar opening is in a specific orientation relative tothe chuck locking elements. The retention features on the accessoryshaft are in corresponding locations along the shaft.

As part of the process of readying a tool system of this invention foruse, the accessory shaft is inserted in the chuck alignment collar. Toso fit the accessory shaft, it is typically necessary to rotate theshaft so the non-circular portion of the shaft goes into registrationwith non-circular bore in the alignment collar. Once this alignmentprocess is finished, it is easy matter to slide the shaft through thecollar. Owing to the alignment of the accessory shaft with the chuckalignment collar the shaft retention features are aligned with the chucklocking elements.

The chuck alignment collar rotates with the rotation of the handpieceoutput shaft. Owing to the close fitting of the accessory shaft in thecollar bore, the accessory shaft is forced by the collar into rotationwith the collar. This inhibits the twisting of the relatively shortlength section of the accessory shaft located proximal to the collar.The elimination of this twisting results in a like elimination that thetwisting would cause the accessory shaft to disengage from the chucklocking elements.

In some versions of the invention, the chuck includes a collet withspring like feet that function as the handpiece locking elements.

In some versions of the invention, the chuck is removably attached tothe housing that contains the handpiece motor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is pointed out with particularity in the claims. The aboveand further features and benefits of this invention are understood bythe following Detailed Description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings. Unless otherwise stated, the relative dimensionsof the components of as illustrated the drawings are generallyunderstood to be the relative dimensions of the components to eachother. In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a surgical tool system of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the basic components of the system of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the removable chuck of this system;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the chuck;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the chuck;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the body of the chuck;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the chuck body;

FIG. 8 is a an alternative perspective view of the chuck body;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the chuck cap;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the chuck cap;

FIG. 11 is perspective view of the chuck spring ring;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the drive shaft internal to the chuck;

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the drive shaft;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the collet;

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of the collet, the alignment collar and thedrive pin;

FIG. 15A depicts how the distal end of the collet is seated in thealignment collar;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the alignment collar;

FIG. 17 is a plan view of the distal end of the alignment collar;

FIG. 18 is a cross sectional view of the alignment collar;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the chuck lock collar;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the actuator internal to the chuck;

FIG. 21 is a cross sectional view of the actuator;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the drive link internal to the chuck;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the torque ring internal to the chuck;

FIG. 24 is a cross sectional view of a nose of the surgical tool system;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the distal end of a cutting accessoryshaft;

FIG. 26 is a plan view of the proximal end of the cutting accessorylooking distally forward; and

FIG. 27 is a plan view of the proximal end of the cutting accessoryshaft wherein the side edges of the retention features are seen.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The basic components of a surgical tool system 40 of this invention areseen by reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. System 40 includes a handpiece 42.Handpiece 42 has a cylindrical body 44. Internal to handpiece body 44 ismotor 46 that is represented as a phantom rectangle. Motor 46 rotates adrive spindle 48 represented by a second phantom rectangle. A chuck 60is removably attached to the distal end of the handpiece body 44.(“Distal” is understood to mean away from the practitioner holding thehandpiece 42, towards the surgical site at which a procedure is to beperformed. “Proximal” is understood to mean towards the practitionerholding the handpiece 42, away from the surgical site at which theprocedure is to be performed.) A nose 302 is removably attached to andextends forward from the distal end of chuck 60. A cutting accessory 320is disposed inside the nose 302. Cutting accessory 320 is coupled to thechuck 60 and extends through and projects out the distal end of the nose302. A tissue working member 338, which is located forward of nose 302,forms the distal end of the cutting accessory.

Internal to the chuck 60 is a drive shaft 134 (FIG. 12). The proximalend of the drive shaft is configured to engage and be rotated by thehandpiece spindle 48. Components internal to the chuck 60 that aredescribed below releasably hold the cutting accessory 320 to the driveshaft 134. The actuation of the motor 46 therefore results in therotation of the cutting accessory 320.

Handpiece 42 is formed so that body 44 is generally cylindricallyshaped. The distal end of body 44 is open as represented by a dashedline opening 45 in FIG. 2. This allows the proximal end of the chuck 60to be seated in the body 44. The drive spindle 48 extends into the opendistal end of the handpiece.

Handpiece motor 46 is any suitable motor for actuating the cuttingaccessory. Motor 46 is typically an electrically pneumatically orhydraulically drive motor. A cable 43 is seen extending from theproximal end of handpiece body 44. Cable 43 represents that the power,gas or water used to drive the motor comes from a console separate fromthe system 40 of this invention. One such motor that can be incorporatedinto handpiece 42 is disclosed in the Applicant's U.S. Pat. No.8,597,316, issued 2 Dec. 2013, CUTTING ACCESSORY FOR USE WITH AMEDICAL/SURGICAL POWERED HANDPIECE, THE ACCESSORY HAVING FEATURES THATFACILITATE THE FINE OR COARSE ADJUSTMENT OF THE EXTENSION OF THEACCESSORY SHAFT, the contents of which are incorporated herein byreference. A console that can be used to provide electrical power to anelectrically driven motor is disclosed in the Applicant's U.S. Pat. No.7,422,582, issued 9 Sep. 2008, CONTROL CONSOLE TO WHICH POWERED SURGICALHANDPIECES ARE CONNECTED, THE CONSOLE CONFIGURED TO SIMULTANEOUSLYENERGIZE MORE THAN ONE AND LESS THAN ALL OF THE HANDPIECES, the contentsof which are incorporated herein by reference. Again, it should beunderstood the structure of the handpiece motor 46 and the assembly thatpowers the motor are not part of the present invention.

The drive spindle 48 is rotatably mounted in the body 44 by bearings notillustrated and not part of the invention. The drive spindle 48 isaccessible through the open end 45 of the handpiece body 44. The drivespindle is formed to have a rectangular closed end bore 49 that opensfrom the distal end of the spindle and extends proximally therefrom.

Chuck 60 is formed to have a shell 62 and a cap 104, seen in FIGS. 3-5,that collectively form the body of housing of the chuck. Shell 62, seenbest in FIGS. 6-8, is formed from a single piece of metal that generallyhas a number of different cylindrical sections. One proximal cylindricalsection is a foot 64. Foot 64 is formed with two indentations thatextends inwardly from the outer surface of the foot andcircumferentially around the foot. A first one of these indentations isannular recess 66. The second indentation is a groove 68. In crosssection, both recess 66 and groove 68 are rectangular in shape. Theshell 62 is formed so that groove 68 is spaced forward from recess 66and is shorter in length than the recess. A bore 69, partially seen inFIG. 5, extends laterally inwardly from the outer surface of foot. Bore69 is located distally forward of groove 68. Forward of the foot 64, theshell 62 has a collar 70. Collar 70 has an outer diameter larger thanthe outer diameter of foot 64. In the depicted version of the invention,the outer diameter of collar 70 is tapered. Extending distally from theproximal end of the collar 70 the diameter of the collar slightlydecreases.

Forward of collar 70, shell 62 has a head 72. Head 72 generally has adiameter approximately equal to the diameter of foot 64. Forward of theproximal end of the head 72 the head is formed to have helical slots 74.Slots 74 are symmetric around the proximal-to-distal longitudinal axisthrough the shell 62. The shell 62 is further formed so that adjacenteach slot 74 there is a detent 76 (one seen in FIG. 8). Forward of whereslots 74 are resent in the head 72, the head is formed to have acircumferentially extending recess 78. In the portion of head 72 forwardof the recess 78 a bore 80 extends laterally through the head.

A lip 84 extends forward from head 72 and forms the most distal portionof shell 62. Lip 84 has an outer diameter that is less than that of thehead 72. Lip 84 is formed with threading, (not illustrated).

The shell 62 is formed to have a number of contiguous bores that form achannel that extends longitudinally through the shell. A first bore,bore 88, extends distally forward from the proximal end of the shell.Bore 88 is thus located in the shell foot 64. Shell 62 is further formedso that the inner wall of the shell that defined bore 88 has a recess 90that extends circumferentially outward from bore 88. Recess 90 iscontiguous with bore 88 and is located approximately in the middle ofthe bore. Recess 90 extends circumferentially around bore 88.

A bore 92 extends distally forward from the distal end of bore 88. Shell62 is formed so that bore 92 is located within the shell collar 70. Bore92 has a diameter less than that of bore 88. The distal end of bore 92opens into a bore 96. Bore 96 has a diameter less than that bore 88 andgreater than that of bore 96. The shell 62 is further formed so as todefine a groove 94 in the inner wall of the shell that defines bore 96.Groove 94 extends outwardly from the proximal end of bore 96 where bore88 opens into bore 96. Groove 94 extends circumferentially around theoutside of bore 96. A bore 98 extends from the distal end of bore 96 tothe distal end of the shell 62. Bore 98 has a diameter that is greaterthan the diameter of shell bore 88. The shell 62 is formed so that bore98 extends through both the shell head 72 and distal end lip 84.

Cap 104, now described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, has a base 106.Base 106 is generally circular in cross section. The cap 104 is furtherformed so that as the base 106 extends distally, there is a slightdecrease in the outer diameter of the base. Forward of base 106 the caphas a collar 110. Collar 110 is generally cylindrical and has a diameterless than that of the base. Cap 104 is further shaped so that theportion of collar 110 immediately forward of base 106 has a recess 108.The recess 108 extends circumferentially around the collar 110.

A neck 112 extends distally forward from the cap collar 110. The neck112 has a curved outer surface that has a diameter less than that ofcollar 110. The outer surface of the neck 112 is not completelycylindrical. Instead, the neck 112 is formed to have two paralleldiametrically opposed flats 114. Flats 114 are located inward of theconnecting outer curved sections of the neck 112.

A cylindrical head 116 extends forward from collar 110. Head 116 has adiameter less than then distance across the neck flats 114. A shortdistance, approximately 4 mm, forward of the proximal end of the head abore 118 extends laterally through head. Bore 118 extends into the belowdescribed bore 117. At the distal end of the head 116 there is a rim120. Rim 120 protrudes radially outwardly from head 116.

A bore 105 extends distally forward from the proximal end of cap base106. Bore 105 has a diameter greater than that of shell head 72. Thedistal end of bore 105 opens into a bore 107. Bore 107 has a diameterless than that of bore 105. The inner cylindrical wall of the cap 104that defines bore 107 is formed with threading (not illustrated). Moreparticularly the cap bore 107 is dimensioned to accommodate shell lip 84so that complementary threading around shell lip 84 and the bore engage.A bore 109 extends forward from bore 107. Bore 109 has a diameter lessthan that of bore 107. Not identified is the undercut between bores 107and 109. Bore 109 is tapered. Thus, extending distally from bore 107,the diameter of bore 109 decreases.

The distal end of bore 109 opens into a bore 111. Bore 111 iscylindrical in shape and has the same diameter as the diameter of thedistal end of bore 109. Bore 111 opens up into a bore 115. Bore 115 hasa diameter less than that of bore 111. An undercut 113 is locatedbetween bores 111 and 113.

Forward of bore 115, a bore 117 extends through cap head 116. Bore 117has sections with varying diameters. Cap head 116 including bore 117, isformed to receive components 308 internal to the nose 302 that serve toreleasably hold the nose to the chuck 60.

A pin 119 is seated in cap bore 118. Pin 119 (FIG. 4) cooperates withthe nose coupling features 308 to hold nose 302 to chuck 60.

A flexible spring ring 124, best seen in FIG. 11, is snap fitted inrecess 66 formed in shell foot 64. The spring ring 124 is generally inthe form of a cylindrical sleeve that has a break 126 that extends thelength of the ring. The spring ring is formed so that, at the proximaland distal ends of the ring, the outer surfaces 128 and 130,respectively of the ring taper inwardly. The components forming system40 are dimensioned so that when the ring 124 is seated over chuck foot64, the major outer annular surface 129 of spring ring 124 the ringprotrudes outwardly from the foot. This facilitates the snap fitting ofthe ring in and out of opening 45 internal to the handpiece body 44. Notillustrated are the structural features internal to the handpiece body44 that against which the spring ring abuts 124. These surfaces are thesurfaces that restrain movement of the spring to facilitate thereleasable attachment of the chuck 60 to the handpiece 42.

An O-ring 125, seen in FIG. 5, is seated in shell groove 68 andprotrudes out of the groove. The O-ring 125 damps vibration of the chuck60 relative to the handpiece. A pin 127 is seated in shell bore 69 andprotrudes out of the bore. The pin 127 cooperates with the componentsinternal to handpiece body 44 to prevent the rotation of the chuck 60relative to the handpiece 42. The components internal to the handpiecebody that pin 127 engages are not part of the current invention.

As seen best in FIGS. 12 and 13, the chuck drive shaft 134 is a singlepiece unit. At the proximal end the drive shaft is formed to have a leg136. Leg 136 is generally cylindrical. At the proximal end of the shaft134, leg 136 is formed to have two parallel flats 138 (one seen) extendforward from the proximal end of the leg. The proximal portion of theleg, the portion in which the flats 138 are present, is dimensioned toslip fit in the handpiece drive spindle bore 49 so there is a minimalclearance between the spindle 48 and the drive shaft leg. Not identifiedbut visible in FIGS. 12 and 13 is a bore that extends distally forwardfrom the proximal end of drive shaft 134. This bore is not part of thecurrent invention.

Forward of leg 136, the drive spindle has a waist section 139. Waistsection 139 is cylindrical in shape and has a diameter greater than thatof leg 136. Forward of the waist section the drive shaft has a torso142. Torso 142 is cylindrical in shape and has a diameter greater thanthat of the waist section 139. An undercut 144 present for manufacturingpurposes separates the waist section 139 and the torso 142. An undercut140, also present for manufacturing reasons, separates leg 136 fromwaist section 139. Forward of undercut 144, the torso 142 is formed withtwo symmetrically opposed oval shaped openings 146. Torso 142 is shapedso that the major axes of openings 146 are parallel to the proximal todistal longitudinal axis through drive shaft 134.

The drive shaft 134 is further formed to have a neck 150 that is locatedimmediately forward of the distal end of the torso 142. Neck 150protrudes radially outwardly from torso 142. Not identified is theundercut in the torso 142 immediately proximal to the neck 150. Neck 150has a proximally facing outer surface 152

Forward of the neck 150, drive shaft 134 has a head 158. Head 158 iscylindrical and shape. The head 158 has a diameter equal to or less thanthat of shat torso 142.

A bore 162 extends proximally rearward from the distal end shaft head158. Bore 162 extends through the shaft head 158 and neck 150 andpartially through the torso 142. The proximal end of bore 162 opens intoa bore 166. Bore 166 is coaxial with and smaller in diameter than bore162. A step 164 at the proximal end of bore 162 defines the transitionbetween bore 162 and bore 166. Bore 166 terminates at a location forwardof the proximal end of the shaft torso 142. Torso openings 146 open intobore 166.

Two bearing assemblies 170, seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, rotatably hold thedrive shaft 134 to the chuck housing. (Not illustrated with specificityare the inner and outer races of the bearing assemblies 170. The innerrace of the proximal located bearing assembly 170 is disposed over waistsection 139 of the drive shaft 134. The outer race of the proximallocated bearing assembly 170 is seated against the inner wall of shell62 that defines bore 96. A wave washer 172 (FIG. 5) is locatedimmediately proximal to the proximal end of proximal bear assembly 170.The outer perimeter of the wave washer 172 is seated in shell groove 94.The inner perimeter of the wave washer is seated in drive shaft groove140. Wave washer 172 bears against the drive shaft 134 so as to urge thedrive shaft distally forward.

The inner race of the distal bearing assembly 170 is seated around thedrive shaft head 158. The outer surface of the bearing assembly isdisposed against the inner cylindrical wall of the cap 106 that definesbore 111. The components forming 1 chuck 60 are dimensioned so thatdistal end of the drive shaft is spaced rearward of undercut 113internal to cap 106.

A collet 178, now described by reference to FIGS. 14 and 15, is slidablydisposed in drive shaft 136. Collet 178 releasably holds the cuttingaccessory 320 to the drive shaft. The collet 178 is single piececomponent that includes a base 182. Base 182 is cylindrically shaped andis dimensioned to slidably fit with minimal lateral movement withindrive shaft bore 166. A crown 180 extends proximally forward a shortdistance from the proximal end of the collet base 182. Crown 180 istapered such that extending proximally from the base 182 the diameter ofthe outer surface of the crown decreases. A bore 184 extendslongitudinally through the crown and base 182. Bore 184 is present formanufacturing reasons. The presence of bore 184 also facilitates flexureof collet legs 192 discussed below. A bore 186 extends laterally,side-to-side through the collet base 182. Bores 184 and 16 intersect.The collet 172 is formed so that a slot 188 extends distally forwardfrom bore 188. Slot 188 is located on a proximally to distally extendingplane in which the center longitudinal center axis of the collet lies178.

Two legs 192 extend forward from the collet base 182. Legs 192 arearcuately shaped. The circle defined by the outer surfaces of the legshas a diameter less than the diameter of base 182. The circle defined bythe facing opposed inner surfaces of the legs defines a void 193 thedistal end of which is identified in FIG. 14. In cross section in planesperpendicular to the longitudinal axis, void 193 is generally circularin shape.

An ankle 194 and a foot 196 are located at the distal end of each leg192. Each ankle 194 has an outer surface that is flush with the outersurface of the leg from which the foot extends. As discussed below, thefeet 196 have outer surfaces that extend radially outwardly from theouter surface of the ankles 194. Each ankle 194 and foot 196 has a pairof opposed sides 198. The ankle 194 and foot 196 are shaped so that thesides 198 taper relative to a proximal to distal longitudinal axisthrough the ankle and foot. Thus, immediately adjacent the leg fromwhich the ankle 194 extends the distance between opposed sides 198 isrelatively short, less than the distance across the leg. Extendingdistally, the distance between sides 198 of a single foot 196 increases.Thus on each side of the collet 178 the adjacent side surface of theopposed ankles and feet define a notch 202, one identified in FIG. 14.Each notch 202 has a shape such that the width across the notchdecreases distally along the notch. Notches 202 can be considered tohave a curved dovetail shape.

Each foot 196 has four arcuately shaped outer surfaces. A first outersurface, surface 204, extending distally from the ankle, tapersoutwardly as the surface extends distally that the surface approachesbeing perpendicular to the longitudinal axis through the collet 178. Thesecond surface, surface 206, has a radius of curvature that isessentially constant along the length of the surface 206. The thirdsurface, surface 208, extending distally, tapers out slightly fromsurface 206. Surface 208 tapers to the fourth surface, surface 210.Surface 210 has a constant diameter. The circle defined by the opposedsurfaces 210 has a diameter that is approximately 0.12 mm less than thediameter of drive shaft bore 162. This dimensioning allows the colletlegs 192, ankles 194 and feet 196 to flex outwardly away from thelongitudinal axis that extends through the drive shaft 136.

Each foot 196 projects inwardly towards the longitudinal axis of thecollet 178 and the opposed foot 196. The inner most surface of each footis considered the toe surface 211. Toe surfaces 211 are each convex inshape.

Also slidably disposed in the drive shaft 136 is an alignment collar212, described with reference to FIGS. 16-18. Alignment collar 212 has ahead 230 with a cylindrical shape. More particularly, head 230 isdimensioned to move longitudinally in drive shaft bore 192. A waist 228is located proximally rearward from head 230. Waist 228 is shaped to,extending proximally from head 230, taper inwardly. A pair of opposedfeet 226 extend outwardly from waist 228. Feet 226 and waist 228 arecollectively shaped to define a notch 229 that extends distally from theproximal end of the collar 212. Notch 229 is dimensioned to receive theopposed collet ankles 194 and feet 196.

Alignment collar 212 is further formed to have an opening 232 thatextends proximally inwardly from the distal end of the collar. Opening232 is tapered. As the opening 232 extends proximally from the distalend of the head 230, the diameter of the opening 232 decreases. Opening232 terminates at a bore 234 that is cylindrical in shape. The proximalend of bore 234 opens into a bore 236. In cross section, in planesperpendicular to the longitudinal axis through the alignment collar 212,bore 236 is in the shape of flattened oval. More particularly, bore 236has two opposed parallel sides. Two curved ends connect the parallelsides. Each curved end subtends an arc of approximately 120°. Two steps,identified only in FIG. 18, at the base of bore 234, define thetransition between bore 234 and bore 236. Bore 236 occupies a lengththat is approximately two-thirds the total length of the collar head232. Bore 236 opens into notch 229.

When chuck 60 is assembled, the base and legs of collet 178 are seatedin drive shaft bore 166. Collet ankles 194 and feet 196 are disposed incollar notch 229. Also disposed in collet bore 162 is alignment collar212. Each collet ankle 194 and associated foot 196 is disposed in an endof alignment collar notch 229 as seen in FIGS. 15 and 15A. Collet 178and alignment collar 212 are, as seen best in FIG. 15A, are furtherformed so that when the collet and ankles 194 and feet 196 are seated inthe collar notch 229, the ankles and feet are spaced away from theadjacent notch-defining surfaces. There is a narrow separation betweenthe collet side surfaces 198 and the adjacent surfaces of the alignmentcollar 212. There is wider gap between the distal end surfaces of thecollet feet 196 and the adjacent surfaces of the alignment collar. Thedepicted gaps are enlarged for purposes of illustration. It should beunderstood that collet feet 196 are able to flex laterally relative tothe alignment collar feet 226.

A number of components of the chuck cooperate to move collet 178 andalignment collar 212 longitudinally within the drive shaft. One of thesecomponents is a lock ring 240 now described by reference to FIG. 19.Lock ring 240 is sleeve like in shape. The lock ring 240 has an innerdiameter that allows the ring to slip fit and rotate over shell head 72.The outer surface of the lock ring 240 is formed with knurling 242 toallow easy thumb and finger rotation of the ring. The knurling 242extends along approximately the proximal most four-fifths of the ring.The distalmost one-fifth of the ring is smooth.

Lock ring 240 is further formed so that two grooves 244 extend inwardlyfrom and longitudinally along the inner wall of the ring. Grooves 244are symmetric with respect to the proximal-to-distal longitudinal axisthrough the ring 240. In cross-section, in planes perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis through the lock ring, grooves 244 are curved inshape.

An actuator 246, seen best in FIGS. 20 and 21, is a second componentthat is part of the assembly that longitudinally translates the collet178 and alignment collar 212. The actuator 246 has a sleeve like mainbody 248. The outer diameter of the actuator main body 248 isdimensioned to allow the actuator to engage in close longitudinal slipfit movement within shell bore 98. At the distal end of the main body248, actuator 246 has a lip 250 that extends radially inwardly from themain body. The actuator 246 is further dimensioned so the inner diameterof lip is approximately 2.5 mm greater than the outer diameter of thedrive shaft torso 142.

Actuator 246 also has two symmetrically opposed divots 252. Each divot252 is a void space in the form of a slice section of sphere. Each divot252 is shown opening into the interior of the actuator 246. This openingis present for manufacturing reasons.

When chuck 60 is assembled, the actuator 246 is seated in shell bore 98.A ball bearing 256, seen best in FIG. 5, is seated in each of the shellhelical slots 74. The ball bearing 256 is dimensioned to projectoutwardly from both the outer and inner surfaces of the shell head 72.The portion of each ball bearing 256 that projects outwardly from theshell head seats in one of the lock ring grooves 244. The portion ofeach ball bearing 256 that projects inwardly of the bore 98 defininginner surface of the shell is seated in one of the divots 252. Thus, therotation of the lock ring causes the ball bearings 256 to movelongitudinally along the shell in the groove 244. The longitudinalmovement of the ball bearings 256 causes the actuator 246 to movelongitudinally in the shell bore 98.

A drive link 258, seen best in FIG. 22, is also slidably disposed in theshell bore 98. The drive link 258 has a tube like main body 260. Theouter surface of main body 260 has a diameter less than the innerdiameter of actuator lip 250. The inner surface of the main body 260 hasa diameter sufficiently greater than that of the drive shaft torso 142that the drive link can freely move longitudinally over the drive shaft134.

Drive link 258 has a rim 262 that extends radially outwardly from themain body 260. Rim 262 is located at the distal end of the main body260. The drive link 258 is further formed to have two coaxial bores 264.Bores 264 are located forward of the proximal end of the body. Thecommon axis around which bores 264 is centered intersects theproximal-to-distal longitudinal axis through the drive link 258.

The drive link 258 is disposed over drive shaft torso 142 to move overthe torso. Drive link 258 is positioned so that drive link rim 262 islocated immediately distally forward of the actuator lip 250. Thecomponents forming the chuck are dimensioned so that the drive link rim262 projects over the actuator lip 250.

The components forming chuck 60 are further arranged so that drive shaftopenings 146, collet bore 186 and drive link bores 264 are inregistration. A drive pin 266, identified in FIGS. 5 and 15, extendsthrough these voids. The drive pin 266 is tightly fitted in the colletbore 186 and the drive link bore 264. Drive pin 266 is able to moveproximally and distally within drive shaft openings 146. The drive pin266 transfers the rotational motion of the drive shaft 134 to the collet178. Drive pin 266 also transfers the longitudinal movement of the drivelink 258 to the collet 178 so that that collet moves in unison with thedrive link.

Two coil springs 268 and 270, seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, are disposed aroundthe drive shaft torso 142. A first spring, spring 268, is in terms ofradial distance, is located closest to the outer cylindrical surface ofthe torso 142. The proximal end of spring 268 abuts the rim 262 of drivelink 258. The distal end of spring 268 abuts the annular proximal facingsurface 152 of the drive shaft neck 150. Spring 268 is in compression.Spring 268 thus normally exerts a force that holds the drive link 258proximally away from the drive shaft neck 150. The force exerted byspring 268 can be overcome by the manual force that causes thelongitudinal translation of the drive link.

Spring 270 is located outwardly of and surrounds spring 268. Theproximal end of spring 270 is disposed against the ring shaped, distallydirected surface of the actuator 246. The opposed distal end of thespring 270 is disposed against the ring shaped step internal to the cap104 that is the transition between bores 107 and 109.

Also disposed inside the hub is a stop ring 274 seen in FIG. 23. Asimplied by its name, stop ring 274 is ring shaped. The stop ring 274 isformed with a number of sections with flat outer faces 276. One outerface 276 is formed with an opening 278 that extends through the ringtowards the center of the ring 274. Stop ring 274 is further formed soas to have a closed end bore 280 that extends proximally from thedistally proximally directed face of the ring.

Stop ring 274 is fixedly disposed in chuck 60 over the portion of shellhead 72 forward of recess 78. A pin 282 (FIG. 5) that extends throughlock ring opening 278 into shell bore 80 holds the stop ring fast to theshell 62.

A coil spring 284, seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, is located immediatelyproximal to stop ring 274. Spring 284 has two opposed legs (notidentified). A first leg extends proximally and is disposed in boreformed in the lock ring 240 (bore not seen). The second leg extendsdistally and extends into stop ring bore 280. Spring 284 places a forceof lock ring 240 that opposes the rotation of the lock ring. The forcespring 284 place on the lock ring 240 can be overcome by the fingerforce applied to the lock ring 240 to rotate the lock ring.

The nose 302, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 24, includes a base 304. Base 304is generally tapered in shape in that, extending from the proximal endthe outer surface, the diameter of the base decreases. There areportions 304 of the base that are of constant diameter. The inside ofthe base 304 has a void 306 and coupling features 308. Void 306 andcoupling features 308 are designed to facilitate the releasable couplingof nose base 304 over cap head 116 and neck 112. The specific means bywhich the nose is coupled to chuck 60 are not part of the presentinvention. Accordingly, void 306 and coupling features 308 are notfurther described.

A constant diameter tube 310 is mounted to and extends distally forwardof nose base 302. The distal end of the lumen 312 internal to the tubeopens into base void 304. Inside the lumen 312 there are bearingassemblies 314. Bearing assemblies 314 rotatably hold the shaft 322integral with cutting accessory in the tube lumen 312.

While tube 310 is depicted as being straight, it is understood that thisinvention is not so limited. In alternative versions of the inventionthe tube is curved, the proximal to distal longitudinal axis bends. Thismakes it possible for the surgeon using the system to position thedistal end of the tube as well as the attached accessory tissue workingmember 338 at a location that is shifted radially away from the a linethat consist of an extension of the proximal-to-distal longitudinal axisthrough the handpiece 42. This positioning facilitates placement of thetissue working member against the side of the tissue that defines theportal into the patient into which nose tube 310 is inserted.

The structure of a cutting accessory 320 is understood by reference toFIGS. 2 and 25-27. A cutting accessory includes an elongated shaft 322.A tissue working member 338 is attached to the distal end of the shaft322. The tissue working member is designed to accomplish a procedure onthe living tissue against which the tissue working member is applied.The depicted tissue working 338 member is a bur. (Cutting flutes of thebur not illustrated.) The specific structure of the tissue workingmember 338 is not part of the present invention. In alternative versionsof the invention, the tissue working member may be a bur with a headthat has a shape that is not spherical. Alternatively, the tissueworking member may be a drill bit. It

Accessory shaft 322 is generally in the form of a cylindrical rod. Insome versions of the invention shaft 32 is formed out of M42 tool steelor 440A stainless steel. Adjacent the tissue working member 338, shaft322 has a distal section 334 that is relatively inflexible. Shaft distalsection 334 has a length between 1 and 3 cm. Proximal to distal section334, shaft 322 has a proximal section 332. Shaft proximal section 332 issmaller in diameter than shaft distal section 330. This reduced diameterof the proximal section 332 allows the proximal section to, wheninserted in a curved or angled nose tube flex. Shaft proximal section332 has a diameter of 2 mm or less and often a diameter of 1.6 mm orless.

The accessory shaft 322 is further formed so that there is a taper 323at the most proximal end of the shaft. Thus, extending distally from themost proximal end of the shaft 322, the diameter of the shaft increases.Shaft 322 is further formed two have on diametrically opposed sides ofthe shaft, plural faces 324. Faces 324 are arranged longitudinally alongthe shaft and extend forward from the tapered sections of the shaft. Inthe illustrated version of the invention each face is concave. Each face324 is arcuate in shape and curves inwardly from the outer cylindricalsurface of the shaft proximal section 332. At the most proximal endthere are not two full faces. Each face 324 at the proximal end,extending distally from that end curves outwardly towards the adjacentdistally located face. At the location where there two longitudinallyadjacent faces abut there is crest 326, one identified in each of FIGS.25 and 27. Crests 326 appear as lines.

On each side of the shaft 322, the set of faces appear as a row offaces. Accessory shaft 322 is further formed so that forward of the mostdistal face 324 face in each row of faces there is a flat 328. Each flat328 is rectangularly shaped and recessed relative to the outercylindrical surface of the shaft. Flats 328 are planner. The planes inwhich flats 328 lie are parallel to the longitudinal axis through shaft322. Each flat 328 is located a distance away from the longitudinal axisof the shaft equal to the distance the crests are spaced from the shaft.A step 329 defines the transition of each flat 328 from the adjacentdistally extending portion of the shaft proximal section 332. Steps 329are in a plane that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axisthrough the shaft 322.

The components forming system 40 are shaped so that the radius ofcurvature of shaft 322 is typically between 0.01 and 0.02 mm less thanthe radius of the circle defined by the curved sides of alignment collarbore 236. The radius of curvature of the shaft is further understood tobe approximately 0.2 to 0.4 mm less than the radius around the center ofvoid 193 internal to the collet 178. The distance across the shaft flats328 is 0.02 and 0.05 mm less than the distance across the parallel sidesof collar bore 236. Shaft faces 324 are shaped so that each face canreceive the outwardly curved face of one of the collet toe surfaces 211.

System 40 of this invention is prepared for use by first connectingchuck 60 to handpiece 42. The results in the coupling of the chuck driveshaft 134 to the handpiece spindle 48. Nose 302 is fitted over the chuckcap 104.

To couple the cutting accessory 320 to the rest of the system 40, thelock ring 240 is rotated to place the chuck in the load state. Moreparticularly the lock ring 240 is rotated to cause the distaltranslational movement of actuator 246. The movement of the actuator lip250 against rim 262 of the drive link 258 results in the like distalmovement of the drive link. The distal translation of the drive link 258results in the like distal movement of collet 178 such that that colletfeet 196 are located forward of drive shaft step 164. When the collet178 is so positioned, the collet feet 196 are free to flex outwardly.System 40 is in the load state.

At this time, the system 30 is in condition to receive the cuttingaccessory 320. The proximal end of the cutting accessory is insertedinto the nose 302 and into the chuck. When the proximal end of thecutting accessory enters the alignment collar 212 the accessory may notbe aligned with collar bore 236. In this situation, the proximal end ofthe accessory shaft 322 strikes the frustro-conically shaped surface ofthe alignment collar 212 that defines the collar opening 232. Owing tothe presence of the taper of the surface of the collar that definesopenings 232 and taper 323 of the shaft, the continued insertion of theaccessory shaft 322 results in the lateral translation of the proximalend of the accessory toward bore 234. When the proximal end of the shaftenters collar bore 234, the shaft may not be aligned with the adjacentaccessory bore 236. For these two components to be aligned, theaccessory crests 326 should lie in planes parallel to the planes of theparallel sides of bore 236. In these components are not so aligned, thefurther advancement of the accessory is stopped by the abutment of theaccessory around the step internal to the collar between bores 234 and236. This blocking of the accessory advancement functions as a tactilecue to the individual performing this process that the accessory 320needs to be aligned with the chuck 60. This alignment is easilyperformed by rotating the shaft so the shaft is able to pass through thecollar bore 236. Since the proximal end of the shaft is seated in bore234 there is little likelihood that, as a result of this rotation of theshaft, the shaft will work itself out of bore 234.

Once the shaft 322 is properly aligned, the shaft is inserted into bore236. The proximal section 332 of the shaft first transits in the spacebetween collet toe surfaces 211 and enters the collet void 193. Thismovement is possible because, as the shaft crest 326 push against thetoe surfaces 211, the collet feet 196 are free to flex outwardly. Again,there is a gap between the distal ends of the collet feet 196 and theadjacent proximally directed surfaces of the alignment collar 212 thatdefine notch 229. The existence of this gap ensures that as the colletfeet 196 flex, the flexure is not blocked by the abutment of the feetagainst the alignment collar. As the shaft 322 moves proximally the toesurfaces move in and out of engagement with the adjacent collet faces324. Each time the collet feet ride flex outwardly over a pair of colletcrests 326 there is a slight change in the resistance to the insertionof the shaft. This change in resistance provides tactile feedback thatthe shaft is going in and out of engagement with the collet feet 196.

Cutting accessory 320 is inserted in the chuck 60 until the tissueworking member 338 is located forward the distal end of the nose 302 thedistance desired by the practitioner. At this time, the collet toesurfaces 211 abut the opposed pair of shaft faces 324. The shaft islocked into position by rotating the lock ring 240 in the directionopposite the direction the ring is rotated to place the chuck in theload state. This opposed rotation of the ring 240 causes the ring totranslate the actuator 246 proximally. Spring 268 is then freed to pushthe drive link 258 proximally. The proximal displacement of the drivelink 258 causes a like proximal movement in the collet 178. Moreparticularly, the collet 178 is displaced proximally until colletsurfaces 206 abut step 164 internal to the drive shaft. This componentagainst component abutment causes an inward movement of the collet feet196 against the adjacent faces 196 of the cutting accessory 302. Chuck60 is thus in the locked or run state.

As a result of the movement of the proximal movement of the collet, thecollet abuts the angled side surfaces of the alignment collar thatdefine notch 229. Alignment collar 212 moves proximally with collet 178.

If necessary, cable 43 is connected to the console that provides powerto handpiece motor 46.

System 40 is used by activating motor 46. The rotational moment of thehandpiece drive spindle 48 is transferred to chuck drive shaft 134. Pin266 transfers this rotational movement to the collet 178. Since theaccessory shaft 320 is clamped between the collet feet 196, theaccessory 320 undergoes a like rotation. The rotating tissue workingmember 332 is pressed against tissue in order to perform the desiredsurgical procedure.

As the cutting accessory 320 rotates, the crests 328 or flat 328 alongone side of the shaft 322 presses against the adjacent planar surfacesof the alignment collar that defines bore 236. Thissurface-against-surface contact causes the alignment collar 212 torotate with the accessory shaft 322. This also means there is a slightlag between the rotation of the collet 178 and the rotation of thealignment collar 212. As described above, the components forming chuck60 are assembled so that there is a slight gap between sides 198 of thecollet ankles 194 and feet 196 and the adjacent surfaces of thealignment collar. This gap prevents these surfaces from coming intocontact when there is a lead or lag in the in the rotation of the collet178 relative to the collar 212. This lead and lag occurs at system startup, system stop or when the accessory is driven back and forth in anoscillation mode. The prevention of this contact reduces the wear towhich the collet and alignment collar would otherwise be exposed.

The components forming system 40 of this invention are thus designed tofacilitate the easy coupling of the accessory 320 to the othercomponents of the system. If the accessory shaft 322 is not aligned withthe collet feet 198, the shape of the shaft and the alignment collarcompel that, to further insert the shaft into the chuck, the shaft berotated until the components are in alignment. The shape of thesecomponents lead the person setting up the system for use to so rotatethe accessory shaft 322.

It is a further feature of this invention that the components of thisinvention are configured so that the accessory can be set so thedistance the tissue working member 338 is set forward of the distal endof the nose 302 can be selectively set. This eliminates the need toprovide plural different tissue working members the only differencebetween them being shafts of marginally different lengths.

Should a practitioner want the accessory set so the tissue workingmember 338 is set to the closest possible position relative to the nose302, the shaft is disposed in the chuck so that shaft flats 328 areseated in the alignment collar bore 236. Further, should the personassembling the system 40 for use attempt to over insert the shaft in thecollet, the steps 329 immediately forward of shaft flats 328 abut thealignment collar steps 235 around bore 236. This step-against-stepabutment prevents insertion of the shaft beyond the useful depth of theshaft in the chuck 60.

Flats 328 provide a further advantage when present in some cuttingaccessories of this invention. Some cutting accessories 320 have tissueworking members 338 that, when pressed against tissue are subjected toappreciable resistance by the tissue. One type of cutting accessoryexposed to these loads are cutting accessories where the tissue workingmember is a bur head with a diameter of 4 mm or greater. The concaveshape of shaft faces 324 inevitably reduces the structural strength ofthe shaft proximal section 332. If the resistive load to which therotating accessory is so great the reduced strength of this portion ofthe shaft could result in shaft fracture where these faces press againstthe walls of the alignment collet 212 that defines bore 236.

This class of cutting accessory 324 is instead provided with relativelyfew faces 324. This ensures that when the shaft is fitted to the chuck,a slice section of the flat 328-forming section of the shaft seats incollar bore 236. This slice section of the shaft 322 is of greater incross sectional width than the section where concave faces are present.Stated another way, flats 328 are spaced further from the longitudinalaxis of the shaft than the shallow portions of faces 324 are spaced fromthis axis. Alternatively, it can be stated that faces 324 extendinwardly relative to the flats 328. The slice section of the shaft 322with flats 328, owing to its increased thickness, is better able towithstand the stress of the shaft-against-collar abutment that occurswhen the accessory is subjected to appreciable resistance than thesection of the shaft formed with faces 324. The ability of this sectionof the shaft to withstand this stress reduces the likelihood that, owingto this resistance, the portion of the shaft disposed in the collet 212can fatigue to the point of fracture.

It is a further feature of this invention that the advantages areprovided in a system with components that are relatively small in crosssectional size. Nose tube 310 typically has a diameter of 0.3 cm or lessand often 0.15 cm or less. As discussed above, the accessory shaft has arelatively small diameter so as to facilitate the insertion and flexingof the shaft in a nose with a curved tube 310. Thus, system 40 of thisinvention is designed to perform minimally invasive surgical (MIS)procedures.

The above is directed to one specific version of the invention. Itshould be understood that other versions of the invention may havefeatures different from what has been described.

For example, there is no requirement that, in all versions of theinvention, the chuck 60 be in a housing that is separate from andremovable from the handpiece 42. In some versions of the invention, thechuck is built into the body of the handpiece. Further, in some versionsof the invention there may not be a removable nose. In some versions ofthe invention where the nose is present the nose may, like the chuck bebuilt into the handpiece. In still other versions of the invention, thenose and chuck may be a single piece assembly that is removably attachedto the handpiece.

In some versions of this invention, the handpiece may have atransmission between the motor and the chuck drive shaft. One suchtransmission is present the transmission typically steps down the speedof the rotational moment so the chuck drive shaft rotates at a speedless than the speed of the rotor internal to the motor.

There is no requirement that all versions of the invention have cuttingaccessory shafts dimensioned and formed out of material that allow theshafts to flex. Alternative systems 40 of this invention may includecutting accessory that are formed with rigid shafts.

Likewise, the clamping assembly that releasably holds the accessoryshaft to the drive shaft may not always be a collet with two feet. Inother versions of the invention, the collet may have three or more feetthat clamp against the accessory shaft 322. Further, in some versions ofthe invention, the clamping assembly might not include a collet. Onesuch alternative clamping assembly is ball in hole assembly. This typeof clamping assembly includes typically includes plural clamping balls.Each ball projects into a bore in the drive shaft. The bore receives theaccessory shaft. When this type of chuck is in the locked state, theballs are held in the shaft bore. The balls engage complementaryfastening features on the accessory shaft to clamp the accessory shaftfor rotation to the drive shaft. When the chuck is in the load state,the balls are able to move radially in and out of the drive shaft bore.This allows the accessory shaft to be removed from the chuck. In someversions of the invention, this also allows the longitudinal position ofthe accessory 320 be selectively reset. In some embodiments of theinvention there may be a single clamping member that holds the accessoryshaft to the chuck drive shaft.

It follows from the above that there are variations to the geometry ofthe cutting retention features integral with accessory shaft 320 of thisinvention. There is no requirement that these features always be in theform of concave faces. For example, in some versions of the invention,these features may be convex faces. Alternatively, the features may beflats that are separated by laterally extending ridges. Still in otherversions of the invention, these features may be flats formed with smallpockets or indentations. The pocket or indentation (or plural pocketsand indentations) formed with each retention feature would receive acomplementary male feature of the chuck locking component. Similarly,from the above it should be clear that there is no requirement that inall versions of the invention the accessory shaft 322 be formed with tworows of symmetrically aligned retention features. In alternativeversions of the invention, the accessory shaft 322 may have one row orthree or more rows of retention features. In these versions of theinvention there may be a flat associated with only a single one of therows of the retention features. In versions of the invention where thereare plural flats, the flats may not be symmetrically arranged around thelongitudinal axis of the shaft 322. Alternatively, in some versions ofarcuately adjacent flats may not be arcuately spaced apart from eachother.

In some versions of the invention each flat 324 may not be aligned witha row of retention features 324. In this version of the system of thisinvention, the corresponding alignment collar face may not be alignedwith one of the chuck clamping members.

Given that the chuck clamping assembly and the shaft retention featuresmay be different from what has been described, it is inherent that thealignment collar 212 need not be as described above. Generally, thenon-circular bore or opening of the alignment collar will have a shapethat accommodates the non-circular cross sectional shape of the proximalend of the accessory shaft. This shape need not always be oval. Theshape may be in the form of a truncated circle, a polygon or a circlewith notch.

Further, the alignment collar may not always be a separate componentfrom the other components of the chuck. In versions of the inventionwherein the clamp assembly has the ball-in-hole locking elements, thealignment collar may be formed integral with the drive shaft. In theseversions of the invention, the alignment collar thus defines anon-circular opening that leads to void internal to the drive shaft inwhich the accessory shaft is disposed and into which the locking ballsmove in and out.

The dimensions set forth above are for describing one version of theinvention. Unless appearing in the claims the dimensions should beunderstood to not be limiting the scope of the claims.

Therefore, it is an object of the appended claims to cover all suchvariations and modifications that cover the true scope and spirit ofthis invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A powered surgical handpiece, said handpieceincluding: a motor having a drive spindle; a chuck having: a drive shaftthat is attached to the drive spindle of the motor to be rotated by thedrive spindle, the drive shaft having a bore for receiving the shaft ofa cutting accessory; at least one clamping member mounted to said driveshaft to rotate with said drive shaft and positioned to hold saidcutting accessory shaft in the bore so that the accessory shaft moveswith said drive shaft wherein said clamping member is moveable relativeto the shaft bore; a lock assembly configured to selectively hold saidat least one clamping member against the accessory shaft so as to lockthe accessory shaft in the bore and to allow the movement of said atleast one clamping member away from the accessory shaft to allow loadingof the accessory shaft into the bore and removal of the accessory shaftfrom the from the bore; and an alignment collar located distal to thedrive shaft that has a non-circular opening that leads into the bore ofsaid drive shaft such that when an accessory shaft with a crosssectional shape that matches the shape of the opening is inserted in theopening, retention features on the accessory shaft are aligned forengagement with said at least one chuck clamping member.
 2. The poweredsurgical handpiece of claim 1 wherein the chuck includes plural saidclamping members.
 3. The powered surgical handpiece of claim 1, whereinthe non-circular opening in said alignment collar is in the shape of aflattened oval.
 4. The powered surgical handpiece of claim 1, whereinsaid alignment collar is a separate component from the chuck driveshaft.
 5. The powered surgical handpiece of claim 1, wherein: said motoris contained in a handpiece; and said chuck is removably coupled to saidhandpiece.
 6. The powered surgical handpiece of claim 1, wherein saidchuck is encased in a housing that includes features that facilitate theremovable attachment of a nose so that the nose extends forward of saidchuck.
 7. The powered surgical handpiece of claim 1, wherein: the atleast one clamping member is capable of longitudinal movement relativeto the drive shaft; and said lock assembly moves said at least oneclamping member longitudinally relative to said drive shaft between alocked position in which the at least one clamping member is heldagainst the accessory shaft and a load position in which the at least atleast one clamping member can move away from the accessory shaft.
 8. Thepowered surgical handpiece of claim 1, wherein: said alignment collar isformed with at least one additional opening; and the at least oneclamping member is moveably disposed within the at least one additionalopening of said alignment collar.
 9. The powered surgical handpiece ofclaim 1, wherein said alignment collar is further formed to have anopening that extends proximally from a distal end of the collar, theopening being tapered such that the extending proximally from a distalend of the opening, the diameter opening decreases and such that at theproximal end of the tapered opening, the tapered opening opens into thenon-circular opening.
 10. The powered surgical handpiece of claim 9,wherein said alignment collar is further formed so that the taperedopening opens into a bore having a cylindrical shape and the boreopenings into the non-circular opening.
 11. The powered surgicalhandpiece of claim 1, wherein, a collet is attached to said drive shaft,said collet including: a base that is attached to the drive shaft torotate with the drive shaft; at least one leg that extends from saidbase and a foot attached to a free end of said leg, said foot shaped tobear against the accessory shaft and able to flex away from theaccessory shaft so that said foot functions as said clamping member. 12.The powered surgical handpiece of claim 11, wherein said collet isshaped to have plural said legs that extend from said base, each saidleg having a foot, and said legs are collectively shaped to define avoid for receiving the cutting accessory shaft.
 13. A cutting accessoryfor use with a powered surgical handpiece, said cutting accessoryincluding: an elongated shaft having opposed proximal and distal ends, alongitudinal axis and an outer surface, said shaft further shaped tohave: a plurality of faces that extend inwardly from the outer surfaceof the shaft, each face having at least one shallow portion and shapedto receiving a clamping member that holds the shaft to the handpiece,wherein there are at least two said faces that are arranged linearly soas to extend longitudinally, proximally to distally, along said shaft;and a flat that is located distally forward of the most distalmost face,the flat being located a distance from the shaft longitudinal axis thatis greater than the distance shallow portions of the faces are locatedfrom the longitudinal axis and less than the distance the outer surfaceof the shaft is located from longitudinal axis; and a tissue workingmember attached to the distal end of said shaft, said tissue workingmember designed to accomplish a procedure on the living tissue againstwhich the tissue working member is applied.
 14. The cutting accessory ofclaim 13, wherein the flat is linearly aligned with the faces.
 15. Thecutting accessory of claim 13, wherein said shaft is formed with tworows of faces and a flat is located distally forward of the distalmostflat in each row of faces.
 16. The cutting accessory of claim 13,wherein said shaft is further formed to have radially extending stepthat is the transition surface between a distal end of the flat and theouter surface of the shaft located distal to said flat.
 17. The cuttingaccessory of claim 13, wherein: said shaft is formed to have a distalsection that extends proximally from the tissue working member and aproximal section that extends proximally from the distal section, thedistal section has a diameter greater than the diameter of the proximalsection; and the faces and flat are formed in the proximal section ofsaid shaft.
 18. The cutting accessory of claim 13, wherein said tissueworking member is bur or a drill bit.